How to Fix a Bad Scene | Novel Writing

  Рет қаралды 50,492

Ellen Brock

Ellen Brock

Күн бұрын

I created a flow chart to diagnose bad scenes. The chart will help you to identify the problems with your scenes and provide possible solutions. This is perfect for when you know something is wrong with a scene in your novel but you're not sure exactly what's going wrong or how to fix it.
Download the Flow Chart Here: ellenbrockediting.com/?p=8485
Support me on Patreon: / ellenbrock
Timestamps
01:23 Does the scene move the plot forward?
02:37 Does the reader need to see the scene happen?
04:18 Is there a conflict?
05:44 Is it obvious to the reader that the scene pushes the plot forward?
06:56 Does the character experience an emotional shift?
08:16 Is the scene still not working?
10:57 Does the scene contain vital information?
11:35 Do you like and want to keep the scene?
12:23 Does the part you like require an entire scene?
13:53 Does the information require an entire scene?
15:27 Is it possible to move the information to another scene?
Story Structure Resources:
[websites]:
www.margielawson.com/using-st...
www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
thefriendlyeditor.com/2013/07...
[Books:]
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks: www.amazon.com/Story-Engineer...
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody: www.amazon.com/Save-Cat-Write...
Writer Types: The Four Types of Novel Writers

Пікірлер: 474
@EllenBrock
@EllenBrock 2 жыл бұрын
Hi guys! I'm excited to be back making videos again. It's been a hard couple of years, but things are (fingers crossed) looking up. My hope is that I will be able to shift my focus onto making videos for you guys as we move into 2022! I tried something a little different with this video and used notes on a tablet so that I could do the whole thing in one take with minimal cuts. I'm very rusty so I apologize for the loss of camera focus at a few points and any other technological failings. Let me know if you have any video ideas for the future. I appreciate you all so much!
@Thesilverninja
@Thesilverninja 2 жыл бұрын
Whoa, surprise video! Great job, Ellen. I really like how you planned out your shot to have space for your graphics. I don't think you looking at your tablet is distracting because I'm mainly listening to the advice and will rewind as necessary.
@ivygenesis5743
@ivygenesis5743 2 жыл бұрын
glad to have you back, Ellen 😍 as a next video, can you tap into side characters? i was thinking about how to tell if a character should be in the story or not. the obvious way to ask yourself if the plot still works if you remove them, but i was thinking about characters that are kind of there, and you need them in certain scenes but they leave you kind of meh. i hope this makes sense :))
@aarondonley8546
@aarondonley8546 2 жыл бұрын
Great new video Ellen! Thanks and excited to see what you’ve got next. 👍
@Mr.H-YT42
@Mr.H-YT42 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back. I don’t know what you film with, but there are teleprompter apps that might fit the bill if you like notes or a script in eyeline of your camera
@brandig3649
@brandig3649 2 жыл бұрын
This video came at the perfect time and is so helpful. So glad you're back! One thing I'm struggling with is the "fun and games" beat of the novel (Act 2 Part 1). There's so much that happens in the beginning and the end, but I'm unsure how to add conflict to this beat that feels significant and moves the plot forward, but that's not as earth shattering as the break into act 2 or the midpoint. Would love your take on this section as I feel like I hear so much more about the beats around it rather than attention on it (same with Act 2 Part 2, really, but "bad guys close in" feels easier on the conflict part).
@malintries
@malintries 2 жыл бұрын
I'm so excited! I discovered your channel while it was "on a break" and thought sadly you were done making vids, so you have no idea how happy I was to see you back!! Your channel is one of the BEST resources I've found on novel writing, you always explain things sooo well and I always leave your videos feeling like I've truly learned valuable things xx
@EllenBrock
@EllenBrock 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@sweettea6309
@sweettea6309 Жыл бұрын
Exactly alot of these novel writing channels are full of people who are wordy or try too hard to come off like literary geniuses and end up with a video that has a lot of words and zero meaning
@EllenBrock
@EllenBrock 2 жыл бұрын
Timestamps 01:23 Does the scene move the plot forward? 02:37 Does the reader need to see the scene happen? 04:18 Is there a conflict? 05:44 Is it obvious to the reader that the scene pushes the plot forward? 06:56 Does the character experience an emotional shift? 08:16 Is the scene still not working? 10:57 Does the scene contain vital information? 11:35 Do you like and want to keep the scene? 12:23 Does the part you like require an entire scene? 13:53 Does the information require an entire scene? 15:27 Is it possible to move the information to another scene?
@stansb19ot5atinforte9
@stansb19ot5atinforte9 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks, your vids are helpful. Just you talking is enough.
@JohnBradford14
@JohnBradford14 2 жыл бұрын
I just wanted to let you know that I and so many others are happy and thankful to have you back. Your videos helped inspire me to pursue a more serious approach to creative writing that I hope to turn into a full time career in the near future. Out of all of the authortube channels, yours has definitely proven to consistently be one of the most professional, useful and constructive. Again, thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication.
@EllenBrock
@EllenBrock 2 жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you!
@racoon2623
@racoon2623 2 жыл бұрын
your advice is genuinely some of the best on the platform, so glad to see you back!
@escapeartist1258
@escapeartist1258 5 ай бұрын
I really am going to have to start subbing in the word "obstacle" for "conflict" because I always get the wrong impression when I read that stories need conflict. Obstacle clicks in my brain way better - it implies the character moving forward or toward a goal but then something impedes them, gets in their way.
@morgantraynor2444
@morgantraynor2444 2 жыл бұрын
You’re back!!! So glad to see you again. :)
@lauramyers2276
@lauramyers2276 2 жыл бұрын
So happy to see you are well and ok. I was concerned. Sorry to hear you’ve had a rough couple of years. Wishing you all the best! Everyone is right, your content is awesome!💜💜
@EllenBrock
@EllenBrock 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@miaramck6746
@miaramck6746 2 жыл бұрын
This is why we're subbed to you, lol!
@JoelAdamson
@JoelAdamson 2 жыл бұрын
A lot of KZfaqrs start with "sorry I haven't posted in a while," but in this case I have actually been waiting and looking forward to it. Great to see something new, Ellen! Thank you!
@extraHERO
@extraHERO 2 жыл бұрын
It always feels like miracle when you come back
@MxZui
@MxZui 2 жыл бұрын
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY AND GRATEFUL I AM YOU'VE POSTED AGAIN! WELCOME BACK! YOU'RE ONE OF THE VERY BEST WRITING CHANNELS ON KZfaq!!! 👑💛🤗
@kokorodokidoki6437
@kokorodokidoki6437 2 жыл бұрын
me too! 😆
@cravidana1182
@cravidana1182 2 жыл бұрын
Oh my gosh, you're back. I missed you. ❤️
@pauligrossinoz
@pauligrossinoz 2 жыл бұрын
*That was **_awesome!_* I just polished my outline using these ideas. I moved several scenes slightly forward or backwards - to the previous or next chapter, and then deleted a bunch of useless scenes. I cut a total of 2 full chapters worth of unnecessary scenes, which improved the pacing a lot. I'm left now with a logical, but minimalist, outline that flows through my story quickly. I also decided to add one more constraint to my outline, which is: *All chapter endings need to feel tense to the reader.* That means if the current chapter answers or resolves something that the reader was worried about from the previous chapter, then it has to generate new tension to replace it. Or, alternatively, the chapter has to end with a strong reminder of a previous point of tension that is as-yet unresolved in the story. This principle of "end-each chapter-with-tension" is often achieved by me just moving a scene into the next chapter. Problems have to get disconnected from their resolutions to keep the reader turning those pages. My chapter endings are things like: leaps into the unknown, trying a desperate escape method, or, at least something like receiving an ominous warning note.
@cozyhomemakingvibes
@cozyhomemakingvibes 2 жыл бұрын
This notification popped up while I was working on my phone and I was so happy to see it! I was thinking how much I’ve missed your videos just the other day.☀️📚❤️☕️
@kellimccalla
@kellimccalla 2 жыл бұрын
Ah! You found it! "Is it obvious to the reader?" That is going to revolutionize my writing thank you!! I love Easter egg scenes that will pay off later, but it will be incredibly beneficial for me to remember to add something to those scenes that the reader can latch on to more immediately. Not to mention it will hide those moments even better until I'm ready to reveal them. Thank you!!!
@abbeyBominable123
@abbeyBominable123 2 жыл бұрын
Oh my gosh! You're back! Yay!
@FF-FAN9999
@FF-FAN9999 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back! Missed your videos
@SuperDPL
@SuperDPL 2 жыл бұрын
Ellen, I was genuinely worried, because of the radio silence. Take care, we love your videos.
@wirdoline
@wirdoline Жыл бұрын
🤦‍♀I literally have a scene in a library that can be scrapped off. Thanks Ellen!
@VieneLea
@VieneLea 2 жыл бұрын
Aaah! I love to see you back! The best booktuber!
@sarahg9060
@sarahg9060 2 жыл бұрын
Great advice regarding what is actually a conflict and what isn't! Gave me a sort of a-ha moment with my novel in progress.
@nikkinewbie6014
@nikkinewbie6014 Жыл бұрын
That made me sit up and take notice. That was clarification I didn’t even know that I needed.
@arsenicbug1537
@arsenicbug1537 2 жыл бұрын
Ellen! It's been so long! I'm happy to see that you're back. I'll be revisiting your videos as I am about half done with my first book and in the time that you've been gone it seems like I haven't found an editor's channel here that has been quite as good as you in both content and presentation. Welcome back to KZfaq 🥰
@Ruylopez778
@Ruylopez778 2 жыл бұрын
While it's not an editing channel per se, I highly recommend the channel Writing for Screens (Glenn Gers). He has a lot of practical and insightful wisdom (like Ellen) without unnecessary fluff or rambling you get on some of the other channels. It's coming from a more 'screenwriting' perspective, but his tools, process and essentials videos all broadly apply to any kind of dramatic or creative writing.
@arsenicbug1537
@arsenicbug1537 2 жыл бұрын
@@Ruylopez778 I actually used to listen to a lot of lessons from the screenplay and I’ve read save the cat (and Ellen has it linked in her video description here). Thank you for the suggestion since screenwriting is a very good way for people to learn good structure (and at times may be worth me revisiting since I think there’s a few sections where I need to answer “does the reader need to see this scene”)
@Ruylopez778
@Ruylopez778 2 жыл бұрын
@@arsenicbug1537 No worries. I think Ellen is also a fan of Story Grid (although that is most useful in the revision phase, than writing phase). I also enjoy LFTS, but what I like about Glen's videos is he is approaching it more from the 'creating' side, where LFTS and so on, are more like an analysis of what already works. Both have their uses. Glen's "6 questions" are about focusing on individual scenes and what the purpose is of each one. If there's a specific aspect you're thinking about e.g. pacing, hooks etc 'Writing Excuses' has a massive archive of podcasts you can search also.
@ASJames
@ASJames 2 жыл бұрын
Always great to see a new video from you!
@COOKMONST3R
@COOKMONST3R 2 жыл бұрын
Yay! So glad you’re back!
@meghana1113
@meghana1113 2 жыл бұрын
Yay! You posted again ❤❤
@dubugman
@dubugman 2 жыл бұрын
So glad to see you back!
@NadwornyBlazen
@NadwornyBlazen 2 жыл бұрын
Great to have you back!
@rewi_the_kiwi
@rewi_the_kiwi 2 жыл бұрын
Yaaay! Love ya content
@guiltyasristo8077
@guiltyasristo8077 2 жыл бұрын
Yay, welcome back!!!
@veronikachristen2373
@veronikachristen2373 2 жыл бұрын
So glad you're back!
@wendywalters784
@wendywalters784 2 жыл бұрын
So excited you're back!!!
@meh62
@meh62 2 жыл бұрын
glad you are back :3
@paulsophocleous2544
@paulsophocleous2544 2 жыл бұрын
Glad to see you back!
@AroundTheCampfire
@AroundTheCampfire 2 жыл бұрын
The Return of the Queen! Welcome back :D
@Edinburghdreams
@Edinburghdreams 2 жыл бұрын
Awesome to see you back.
@danielvickery3311
@danielvickery3311 2 жыл бұрын
love you! Glad you're back!!!
@SuperBeanson
@SuperBeanson 2 жыл бұрын
Awesome that you are back!!!!!!!!
@wrathisme4693
@wrathisme4693 2 жыл бұрын
Thrilled to see you back!
@edengallagher1044
@edengallagher1044 2 жыл бұрын
so glad you're back!
@chrisgeorge3107
@chrisgeorge3107 2 жыл бұрын
I am so glad you're back. Your advice is great, your intuition is clear, and you are articulate and intelligent. Inexpressibly good content.
@EllenBrock
@EllenBrock 2 жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you!
@chrisgeorge3107
@chrisgeorge3107 2 жыл бұрын
@@EllenBrock I mean it! Glad you saw it, too. 👌🏼
@mskmakes2516
@mskmakes2516 2 жыл бұрын
So glad to see you back!!
@rizzypizzy
@rizzypizzy 2 жыл бұрын
Yay, you're back!
@DTHRocket
@DTHRocket 2 жыл бұрын
YOU"RE BACK! Woo
@Beachhead13
@Beachhead13 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you're back!!!
@user-yu4rh6zj9x
@user-yu4rh6zj9x 2 жыл бұрын
you're back!!! yay
@asharablack
@asharablack 2 жыл бұрын
I'm thrilled you're back! I discovered your channel during your break and I binged all your videos, because I've found your advice so much more helpful than pretty much any other youtube channel on this topic. So much writing advice is directed at beginners, and I was starting to think that I knew everything. But then you came along and provided not one but several key insights that have made me see things from a totally different perspective.
@zombiegaby
@zombiegaby 2 жыл бұрын
You're back! Glad to see it :)
@teril733
@teril733 2 жыл бұрын
So happy you're back!
@andromedaAndy
@andromedaAndy 2 жыл бұрын
I was worried! Glad you're back!
@letskillbunny
@letskillbunny 2 жыл бұрын
so glad you’re back!!
@iisaka_station
@iisaka_station 2 жыл бұрын
YAY!! You’re back! 😁
@PlayfullyConnectedGames
@PlayfullyConnectedGames 2 жыл бұрын
Love your channel! So happy you are back!
@Lk77ful
@Lk77ful 2 жыл бұрын
glad to see a new video
@bernadetteshields3726
@bernadetteshields3726 2 жыл бұрын
So good to have you back
@MrMJrules
@MrMJrules 2 жыл бұрын
Yay!!! So glad to see you’re back! As always, your videos couldn’t come at a better time! 😊
@qine6559
@qine6559 2 жыл бұрын
Super happy to see you back!!! So happy to see you!!!
@thexiaogui8641
@thexiaogui8641 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you're back!
@booksfellover
@booksfellover 2 жыл бұрын
You're back yay!!
@zurckoni
@zurckoni 2 жыл бұрын
nice to see you back. thanks
@_sofie
@_sofie 2 жыл бұрын
Eyyy you’re back
@gilwenlive
@gilwenlive 2 жыл бұрын
always love your videos! Thanks for making it!
@Writing4Jesus247
@Writing4Jesus247 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back, Ellen! So happy to see your content! You have the best writing/editing tips on youtube. Thanks for another great vid!
@kellimccalla
@kellimccalla 2 жыл бұрын
Yaaaaayyyy I've missed you! Can't wait to learn when I have some alone time!
@mr.kilroy6818
@mr.kilroy6818 2 жыл бұрын
Ellen, we missed you so much !.. Whatever Ticket of Distress this Life Rollercoaster has shoved into your hand you have eloquently Desinbarked at the end of this Ride a little more ready for the next ticket to be handed to you..(there's always a next one) You rode it out Well, Why? "Because" your Ellen Brock Pro Editor Extraordinaire.'.LOVED, By all of us Wannabe Rehashers of Story, Lost Keyboard Bards Welcome Back Ellen!
@kalagapalagam
@kalagapalagam 2 жыл бұрын
Yay you’re back! This info is coming in clutch rn!!
@cuffeemia2108
@cuffeemia2108 2 жыл бұрын
Glad to see you back! Thanks for all the advice over the year.
@andrewjchamberlain
@andrewjchamberlain 2 жыл бұрын
Wonderful to see you back here Ellen!
@user83c9f49
@user83c9f49 2 жыл бұрын
Omg you're back, yay!☺
@talynjon2
@talynjon2 2 жыл бұрын
Yeah! You're back!
@greenvash
@greenvash 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you are back! Love this new video, keep up the great work!
@PabloEscapa
@PabloEscapa 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you’re back! Love your videos!
@mischarowe
@mischarowe 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back. Always a treat to watch your videos. :)
@malastrom884
@malastrom884 2 жыл бұрын
oooh i'm so happy to see you back! I already feel this new video will be super helpful!
@robbabcock_
@robbabcock_ 2 жыл бұрын
Wow! It's so awesome to see you back!🙏❤️
@Tehran481516
@Tehran481516 2 жыл бұрын
Oh you are back :D welcome back!
@helenreynolds3681
@helenreynolds3681 2 жыл бұрын
So glad you're back! Love your content!
@Krcko202
@Krcko202 2 жыл бұрын
so nice seeing you again
@hugoleonardoamaral586
@hugoleonardoamaral586 2 жыл бұрын
Great to see you back Ellen. Amazing video as always!
@Myllkka
@Myllkka 2 жыл бұрын
SHE'S BACK!!! AWESOME!!
@gabgonzales4570
@gabgonzales4570 2 жыл бұрын
Eyyyy, welcome back queen! Looking forward to seeing more of you in the future!
@susiepam2716
@susiepam2716 2 жыл бұрын
So nice to have you back.
@mariaiosifidi1211
@mariaiosifidi1211 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back!!!
@ChristinaFonthes
@ChristinaFonthes 2 жыл бұрын
Ahhhh welcome back 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
@da.j.9096
@da.j.9096 2 жыл бұрын
Nice to see you again Ellen! Thanks for more great advice!
@hypnodream
@hypnodream 2 жыл бұрын
Yay, welcome back
@DreamsOfFire
@DreamsOfFire 2 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad you're back!!! ❤️
@chrisannlittle
@chrisannlittle 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back!! Thank you for your information 🙏 😊
@emma-leefortune8331
@emma-leefortune8331 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back Ellen!!!!!!
@Cinabre4436
@Cinabre4436 2 жыл бұрын
Yaaaaay you're back! Great video, useful advice. We missed you!
@enchantlit8442
@enchantlit8442 2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back Ellen!! 💕
@couragedear
@couragedear 2 жыл бұрын
So glad you're back, I really find your videos useful! Thanks!
@inertia86
@inertia86 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for coming back
@dronedruid153
@dronedruid153 2 жыл бұрын
Good to see you back Ellen. :)
@davidmitchell5917
@davidmitchell5917 2 жыл бұрын
Great you're back. Thanks for all your videos.
@RobinRozendal
@RobinRozendal 2 жыл бұрын
You're back! 🥳
@Dado_cz
@Dado_cz 2 жыл бұрын
Yaaay, Ellen is back! We missed you🙂
@Bobashasaurus
@Bobashasaurus 2 жыл бұрын
This is super helpful, thank you! And welcome back 😀
@sazharper8768
@sazharper8768 2 жыл бұрын
It’s great to see you back! I’ve liked your videos and advice x
@sylwia3394
@sylwia3394 2 жыл бұрын
You have so many videos that i have material to watch for a time :)
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